Thomas Jefferson Anti-Federalist / Democratic-Republican
Man of Virginia Virginia was located in the southern part of the United States. The basis of its economy relied solely on the exporting and trading of farm-raised goods, such as tobacco. At the time, Virginia was the most populous state in the nation. Not only was there a range of people from numerous farmers to well-respected delegates, but there were also a large number of slaves residing in the state. Virginia wasn’t seen as an “elitist” state; most of the population consisted of poor farmers. But it had a large pull in the government because of its large population.
Occupation and Socio-Economic Background At the time, Jefferson was acting as the Minister to France, a position formally held by Benjamin Franklin. He aided in the negotiation of treaties while also noting important events occurring in European history. The purpose of this position was to show France that America was still interested in its well-being; thereby strengthening and preserving Franco-American relations. Jefferson was born in a well-to-do family. His father was a prominent landowner as well as a well-respected politician. He acted as general commander of the Virginia militia and as a representative in the House of Burgesses. The Jefferson family was also considered a traditional southern family because they owned slaves. Thomas Jefferson, along with many other southern children, was cared for by slaves throughout his childhood. The Jeffersons were known as a well-off family who was also concerned about the common good of Virginia. After having been raised in such an influential family, it was almost expected that Jefferson would enter politics and the social status of his family helped his career take off.
Member of the Constitutional Convention Jefferson was not a member of the Constitutional Convention at the time of the Constitution ratification process because he was in France, fulfilling his duties as Minister to France. However, upon his return in 1789, Jefferson did openly speak up about his view of the Constitution.
Role in the Ratification Process Even though Jefferson wasn’t present during the Constitutional Convention or during the ratification process, it was clear that if he had been there, he would have voted against the Constitution. Nevertheless, he played a major role in the formation of the federal government. Jefferson can be considered responsible for the adoption of the Bill of Rights because of his constant and persistent push for civil liberties such as freedom of religion and freedom of the press.
Jefferson’s Arguments Jefferson was against the ratification of the Constitution because he believed that it didn’t address enough rights to the people. His main concern throughout the debate was the well being of the Americans; not just the elite, but the commoners as well. He fought for states’ rights and thought that the Constitution gave the federal government too much power. Jefferson was quoted saying that “the tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is it's natural manure." This shows that Jefferson welcomed public displays of resistance; some say that he even welcomed Shay’s Rebellion. He believed that a true government had to be one that the people could speak out against if they were indeed against it. Jefferson wanted to create a nation that truly consisted of free people who had certain “natural rights.”
Jefferson’s Allies Jefferson sided with fellow Anti-Federalists and Democratic-Republicans; prominent delegates such as Patrick Henry, Sam Adams, and Richard Henry Lee were in agreement that the Constitution needed more liberties for the people.
Jefferson’s Foes Since this argument concerning the Constitution occurred during a time when political parties were first being established, the majority of Jefferson’s foes in the debate were members of the Federalist Party. Federalist party members included George Washington, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. Jefferson was cordial during debates with those that opposed him; however his most boisterous arguments were with Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson opposed most of what Hamilton proposed while Jefferson was Washington’s Secretary of State and Hamilton served as Washington’s Secretary of Treasury.
Bibliography:
DeGregorio, William. The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents. Fort Lee: Barricade. 2005.
"Establishing a Federal Republic - Thomas Jefferson." American Memory from the Library of Congress - Home Page. The Library of Congress. Web. 20 Sept. 2009. <http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/jefffed.html>.
*Jefferson, Thomas. Personal interview. 13 Nov. 1787.
"Thomas Jefferson Biography." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2009. 17 Sept 2009. <http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ho-Jo/Jefferson-Thomas.html>
"The Thomas Jefferson Papers - Selected Quotations - (American Memory from the Library of Congress)." American Memory from the Library of Congress - Home Page. The Library of Congress. Web. 19 Sept. 2009. <http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/jefferson_papers/mtjquote.html>.
"The U.S. Constitution Quick Facts." ThisNation.com - American Government & Politics Online. 2008. Web. 20 Sept. 2009. <http://www.thisnation.com/constitution-facts.html>.
"Viewpoint 6." The Threat Posed by Shays's Rebellion Has Been Exaggerated. 50-53. Print.
Thomas Jefferson
Anti-Federalist / Democratic-Republican
Man of Virginia
Virginia was located in the southern part of the United States. The basis of its economy relied solely on the exporting and trading of farm-raised goods, such as tobacco. At the time, Virginia was the most populous state in the nation. Not only was there a range of people from numerous farmers to well-respected delegates, but there were also a large number of slaves residing in the state. Virginia wasn’t seen as an “elitist” state; most of the population consisted of poor farmers. But it had a large pull in the government because of its large population.
Occupation and Socio-Economic Background
At the time, Jefferson was acting as the Minister to France, a position formally held by Benjamin Franklin. He aided in the negotiation of treaties while also noting important events occurring in European history. The purpose of this position was to show France that America was still interested in its well-being; thereby strengthening and preserving Franco-American relations. Jefferson was born in a well-to-do family. His father was a prominent landowner as well as a well-respected politician. He acted as general commander of the Virginia militia and as a representative in the House of Burgesses. The Jefferson family was also considered a traditional southern family because they owned slaves. Thomas Jefferson, along with many other southern children, was cared for by slaves throughout his childhood. The Jeffersons were known as a well-off family who was also concerned about the common good of Virginia. After having been raised in such an influential family, it was almost expected that Jefferson would enter politics and the social status of his family helped his career take off.
Member of the Constitutional Convention
Jefferson was not a member of the Constitutional Convention at the time of the Constitution ratification process because he was in France, fulfilling his duties as Minister to France. However, upon his return in 1789, Jefferson did openly speak up about his view of the Constitution.
Role in the Ratification Process
Even though Jefferson wasn’t present during the Constitutional Convention or during the ratification process, it was clear that if he had been there, he would have voted against the Constitution. Nevertheless, he played a major role in the formation of the federal government. Jefferson can be considered responsible for the adoption of the Bill of Rights because of his constant and persistent push for civil liberties such as freedom of religion and freedom of the press.
Jefferson’s Arguments
Jefferson was against the ratification of the Constitution because he believed that it didn’t address enough rights to the people. His main concern throughout the debate was the well being of the Americans; not just the elite, but the commoners as well. He fought for states’ rights and thought that the Constitution gave the federal government too much power. Jefferson was quoted saying that “the tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is it's natural manure." This shows that Jefferson welcomed public displays of resistance; some say that he even welcomed Shay’s Rebellion. He believed that a true government had to be one that the people could speak out against if they were indeed against it. Jefferson wanted to create a nation that truly consisted of free people who had certain “natural rights.”
Jefferson’s Allies
Jefferson sided with fellow Anti-Federalists and Democratic-Republicans; prominent delegates such as Patrick Henry, Sam Adams, and Richard Henry Lee were in agreement that the Constitution needed more liberties for the people.
Jefferson’s Foes
Since this argument concerning the Constitution occurred during a time when political parties were first being established, the majority of Jefferson’s foes in the debate were members of the Federalist Party. Federalist party members included George Washington, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. Jefferson was cordial during debates with those that opposed him; however his most boisterous arguments were with Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson opposed most of what Hamilton proposed while Jefferson was Washington’s Secretary of State and Hamilton served as Washington’s Secretary of Treasury.
Bibliography:
DeGregorio, William. The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents. Fort Lee: Barricade. 2005.
"Establishing a Federal Republic - Thomas Jefferson." American Memory from the Library of Congress - Home Page. The Library of Congress. Web. 20 Sept. 2009. <http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/jefffed.html>.
*Jefferson, Thomas. Personal interview. 13 Nov. 1787.
"Thomas Jefferson Biography." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2009. 17 Sept 2009. <http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ho-Jo/Jefferson-Thomas.html>
"The Thomas Jefferson Papers - Selected Quotations - (American Memory from the Library of Congress)." American Memory from the Library of Congress - Home Page. The Library of Congress. Web. 19 Sept. 2009. <http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/jefferson_papers/mtjquote.html>.
"The U.S. Constitution Quick Facts." ThisNation.com - American Government & Politics Online. 2008. Web. 20 Sept. 2009. <http://www.thisnation.com/constitution-facts.html>.
"Viewpoint 6." The Threat Posed by Shays's Rebellion Has Been Exaggerated. 50-53. Print.